Nuclear Medicine Preparation

Written order needed.

Biliary Scan (exam time: two hours)

  • Do not eat or drink anything four hours prior to the exam.

Renal Scan (exam time: 90 min)

  • Drink two eight-ounce glasses of fluids one to two hours prior to your exam.

Renal Scan w/Captopril (exam time: 2.5 hours)

  • Ask your doctor about going off ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonist 48 hours prior to your exam.

Gastric Emptying (exam time: three hours)

  • Do not eat or drink 12 hours prior to your exam.

Positron Emission Tomography with FDG (FDG PET) (exam time: three hours)

Note: There are two types of PET exams, FDG PET and Rubidium PET (also known as Myocardial Perfusion PET.) Rubidium PET requires a different preparation than the one listed below. If you are not sure which PET exam you are having, please call our scheduling department at 310.423.8000 (option 1. )

FDG PET scans require careful preparation, so please follow instructions carefully.

(Diabetics should discuss the preparations with their doctor.)

  • 24 hours prior to your appointment:
    • Refrain from consuming any caffeine, including any decaffeinated products for 24 hours prior to your exam. Note: Decaffeinated products still contain small amounts of caffeine.

  • 12 hours prior to your appointment:
    • Stay on a low-carbohydrate diet. (See below for a guide on what to eat.)
    • Do NOT engage in any strenuous exercise.
    • Do NOT chew gum.
    • Avoid mints.

  • 6 hours prior to your appointment:
    • Do NOT eat anything.
    • Drink several glasses of water (2-6).
    • Take any prescribed medications as usual.
    • If you need to eat, please stick to a small protein-only meal.
    • If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor for questions regarding diet and medication.

  • Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guide:

    Foods allowed:

    • All meats
    		 
    • Tofu
    • Hard cheeses
    		 
    • Eggs
    • Unsweetened peanut butter
    		 
    • Oil, margarine, butter
    • Diet soda (be careful to avoid caffeinated and decaffeinated sodas.)
    		 
    • Non-starchy vegetables (such as: broccoli, spinach, green beans.)
     
    Foods not allowed:

    • Cereals
    		 
    • Breads
    • Pasta
    		 
    • Rice
    • Dry beans
    		 
    • Gravies
    • Fruit and fruit juices
    		 
    • Jams and jellies
    • Sugar and candy
    		 
    • Honey
    • Starchy vegetables (such as: peas, corn, potatoes)
    		 
    • Milk (including non-dairy milk)
    • Alcohol
    		 
    • Coffee or Tea
     
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